Dark Greetings, all,
Tonight, it is my esteemed honor to bring another fine member into the Elder ranks...
Kaek, I do hereby elevate you to the rank of Dark Side Adept!
I distinctly remember the convesation I had with Kaek on IRC the day he was appointed to P:MAA. I told him that it was a close race between him and Khan, to which he replied that he didn't even expect to get Praetor. Those of us involved in the decision though knew that Kaek had what it takes from the beginning. From his initial appointment over a year and a half ago to this very day, Kaek has remained a steadfast and influental member of this club's leadership. Let us recognize that today.
Kaek is the type of member that I would like to clone and place all over the DB. He is strong-willed. He is proactive. He has great ideas. He does not shy away from responsibility. He does not pull his punches. He does not let things slip away from him. Kaek has so many of the ideal qualities that are needed for MAA. This is a person that tediously works his way through hundreds of requests each week, making sure that each and every medal and promotion is up to the DB's high standards. Since he has taken over, Kaek has, on his own, instituted a set of standards that everyone abides by and agrees to. I do not remember a single complaint about a decision Kaek has made since he took office -- I think that's a first for MAAs throughout the club's history.
Kaek cares about the future of the club; he wants to make sure that he leaves a mark of stability on the office he holds. Currently, Kaek is working with a variety of members to revamp the medal and promotion systems. He is leading a discussion that willl someday prove invaluable to our club's continued success. I commend his initiative in that regard. It would be too easy for Kaek to hide behind the buttons and not involve himself elsewhere. He's not that type of person though -- he wants to make things right.
MAA isn't an easy job. It is time-consuming, tedious, and many times, thankless. Kaek does the job without question, though. He is constantly stepping up and taking more responsibility upon himself, too. Much to my pleasure -- Kaek does a lot of things now that I used to do. About a month ago he came to me and said something along the lines of "Jac, I played with the database all day today. I tought myself all of the ins and outs of creating units and positions so I don't have to bother you with that stuff anymore." Music to my ears. He, Goat and I also get together regularly to talk about promotions. Kaek helps me keep track of who needs to get promoted and helps me get the recommendations. I appreciate that.
Most importantly, Kaek holds everyone, including me, to the same standards. It is too tempting and easy to just snap fingers, write a sentence and promote someone. That's how it used to be done. Not under Kaek -- even a GM has to justify his reasons for promotions...and rightly so. Kaek does not let anything get past him that he wouldn't want to take responsibility for...cause in the end, that's one thing that he has really changed about the MAA office: he takes an ownership of it and responsibility for everything that goes through it.
I appreciate all that Kaek does. I appreciate his attentiveness to detail. I appreciate his proactive approach to the office. I appreciate his strong-willed character.
Kaek, I appreciate you. Congratulations on your promotion, Dark Adept.
In Darkness,
Lord Jac Cotelin
Grand Master of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood
When most people think about the Master-at-Arms they think about pressing buttons all day and not much else. Traditionally that has indeed been what many Masters-at-Arms have done, an important, indeed taxing and very influential role that has a great deal of responsibility placed on its shoulders. Even so, to many it has never been something they would have deemed difficult.
Into this miasma came Kaek, who has been the virtual MAA since his days as P:MAA when he and Khan were little more than two halves of the same whole. Ever since Kaek first arrived the MAA has been undergoing a series of reforms to improve the way it works, from changes to the way promotions are dealt with to widespread proposals to reform the workings of the medal system. In all these things Kaek has been the driving force, seeking to improve an aspect of the Dark Brotherhood many fear to touch. It is testament to Kaeks abilities that such changes have been able to be implemented swiftly and without protest, especially given how directly the MAAs line of work impacts on that of the rest of us. To the more mundane, Kaek has always performed his day-to-day work as MAA without hesitation and without major upset. I dont think I remember a Master-at-Arms that has been prepared to put his foot down as often to deny trivial requests, yet Kaek has never hesitated, and yet, despite this, he isnt hated or despised for being strict or petty but rather seen as a voice of reason when it comes to deciding on awards. His sheer strength of character and readiness to do the job is commendable in itself.
Kaek is an asset to the Dark Council and a voice of wisdom in an office not known for such. Im sure even he would not disagree the time is more than right for him to join the ranks of the Elders of the Brotherhood.
His Eminence
Dark Jedi Master Xanos Zorrixor, Shadow Hand
Deputy Grand Master of the Dark Brotherhood
It's about time Kaek was awarded for something. I've only been around him for the last oh, year and a half I guess but I know this is one dedicated guy. Kaek wants to make the system work fairly and balanced, that he is trying to do as MAA. He is heading up a team right now to see MAA Reforms in the months to come, all in an attempt to bring our system up to date where it should be. Since Kaek took on the position of P:MAA up to now as MAA he has done an outstanding job at keeping up with all the request by our members, and I know this can really be tiring at times. He has to deal with the constant name changes, email changes, Clan/House changes, promotions, and medals. All this can get very annoying, and it's much more than just what I've listed above. He has to look into everything that comes by him, make sure it's legit, and confirm on many things. It all takes time. I appreciate all the work he does here, it rarely gets recognized as it should. Kaek is one of the great leaders of the Brotherhood, he has a strong mind and knows what he wants to accomplish here. After nearly eight years in the Brotherhood and a year plus since his last promotion, with all his steady work, a promotion to Dark Side Adept is well earned in my mind. Congratulations buddy, you pwn!
For Taldryan,
Obelisk Exarch Duga Taldrya Arkarso
Consul and Son of Clan Taldryan
Planetary Viceroy of Karufr
This is an award that I believe has been a long time in the coming. Over a year ago, Kaek was promoted to the rank of Warlord, the last of the Equite ranks. Since then, he has become, and continues to be, an influential part of the Dark Brotherhood community. In that span he went from being a large part of the MAA office as Praetor, to assuming the full responsibilities of MAA without ever needing someone else to help him along. For a brief time, he was a member of the ACC staff. A an uncommon practice among Dark Councillors, Kaek has even managed to jump into multi-player games, especially enjoying CTF with a number of others.
Without a question, there is no one else people could see as MAA of the club. He has made the position his, and truly is fair in all dealings, no matter who the other person on the end is, be it the GM or a friend. He makes the position respectable, knowing there is no taint on it. He is also serious on reforming the position, ensuring that future MAAs have a system that is fair for all, allowing all Clans to stand on equal footing with one another. He has also managed to make the families a part of the Brotherhood so that they do not interfere with the regular operation of the Clans.
Even Kaek couldnt deny himself this elevation, even if he tried. For over a year he hasnt been awarded for all of his hard work and effort, and is long over due.
gropes Kaek
Congrats!
~DJM Halcyon Rokir Arconae
Ive known Kaek for quite some time. Im not quite sure where or when I first met him, but I do know that Ive considered him a friend and an equal for quite some time. And that may be arrogance showing through, since I consider so few people in the Brotherhood as equals. But those that I do consider to be my equal are not only intelligent, dedicated individuals, but they are also motivated, consistent, and have a deep belief in the benefit and future success of the Brotherhood. They are not just like-minded individuals, though we are often of the same idea on many levels.
I believe the first time I really started working with Kaek on a permanent basis was when I was Sith High Warrior. I took Kaek on as a Magistrate; Kaek had a lot of good ideas and motivation towards helping me accomplish my goals within the Order. Kaek was originally one of the people I discussed and debated ideas with. He always had an interesting perspective on things, and we tried to make things work out however we could. He also had ideas of his own, and worked on several projects for me that would have possibly been successful. I think the lack of completion came in at the end of my tenure, when I was more focused on trying to put out a Sith War. Though the projects may never have seen full completion, Kaeks work was more than beneficial.
When Kaek was made Praetor to the Master-at-Arms, I knew it was a mistake. I knew Kaek was supposed to be the Master-at-Arms, and indeed, in short time that became the truth. Kaek is, in some ways, one of the most stubborn people you will ever work with when it comes to medals, promotions, or even family names. Sometimes, you might think hes too stubborn, but in truth, its just Kaek being himself. He wants to make sure things are taken care of, to make sure theyre done right the first time, every time. Kaek never wants to deny rewards, he just wants to approve them appropriately, to make sure that everyone who receives something knows that it was worthwhile, it was the right award, and they are thanked and commended for their efforts.
The Brotherhood has a resource and an asset in Kaek. He may not always be right, but his efforts are never wrong. Hes not the kind of person to just say, Do it this way. Hes the kind of person to come forward with an idea, offer suggestions for how it should be done, take feedback and criticism to enhance and improve, and then do things how they need to be done. Hes a man of action, and a man that has motivation enough to take on anything, even after so many years within this organization. For anyone with more than a few years of service to the Brotherhood, it can be hard to maintain motivation and the desire to continue. As long as hes serving, and as long as hes taking care of the members, Kaek never loses his desire; his motivation never falters.
Congratulations, Kaek. Its about time you were recognized with the status of Elder. I wish you continued success, and maybe one of these days, youll go back to working for me. And then, I will make you my coffee boy.
-DJM Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae
Quaestor, Tridens of Tarentum
A recommendation from Sith Warlord Maxamillian von Oberst-Tarentae may be found at http://www.darkjedibrotherhood.com/dbjedi/misc/OberstKaekDARec.pdf
Kaek has done great work as the Master at Arms. He's always making sure that any requests that come his way are justified according to a clan's standards and if it isn't he won't approve it. There were a few times when I had to resubmit because Kaek didn't feel that the request should be allowed through and I know he will continue to do what he's always done: Be anti-retarded when it comes to promos and medals. Even now he's working on a project that I probably shouldn't reveal the contents of but it will benefit the DB as a whole. Congrats on Dark Adept Kaek!
Kraval Novir
QUA of Dinaari
Syn Kaek, 2006-07-31 22:00:00 UTC